Bayfield River Valley Trail Association, community volunteers, donors raised $70,000 for purchase of 4.75-acre River Flats property in Bayfield
The Bayfield River Flats, a 4.75-acre riverside property was purchased through the generosity of the citizens and organizations of the community of Bayfield and surrounding areas.
The Bayfield Breeze reported that:
“During the autumn of 2016, almost a quarter of the population of the Village of Bayfield donated to a fundraising campaign to purchase the 4.75-acre plot of land on the river, to the immediate southeast of the bridge, known as the Bayfield River Flats. Community-minded people donated from all over North America, including families who cherish this small village and who recognized that this would probably be the last opportunity to ensure that the public would always have access to the river.”
The Bayfield River Flats is now owned and protected in perpetuity by the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy (HTLTC), working with the Bayfield River Valley Trails Association.
During Bayfield’s early years – until 1900 – this tranquil woodland setting was the site of Thomson’s Mill. Until the saw and gristmill were fully operational in the 1840s, area pioneers had to hand saw their lumber and carry their grain on their backs on deer paths to Goderich for milling. The ruins of the mill and the old dam, which was also the first bridge across the Bayfield River, are still visible.
Anglers from all over Southwestern Ontario and beyond come to the Bayfield River to test their skills. The River Flats Natural Area is especially popular because of the extensive restocking program at the upstream hatchery and because it is an important spawning area.
The property features a small hiking trail, canoe launch, picnic areas and wide access to the river for fishing enthusiasts.
A group of community volunteers, sponsored by the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association, negotiated an offer to purchase to buy the 4.75-acre River Flats property, to the immediate southeast of the Bayfield Bridge. The volunteers included Helen Varekamp, Jack Pal, David MacLaren, Roma Harris, Kirsten Harrett, Gayle Waters, Ray Letheren, Larry Dalton, Doug Vanderhaar, Mike Dixon, Wayne McKaig, Sandy Scotchmer, and Dave Gillians.
Organizers of the fundraising campaign called it a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to acquire about 1,000 feet of riverbank natural area within the old village boundaries of Bayfield. They say purchasing the property has made it possible to preserve access to the naturalized area along the river. The total cost to purchase the property, including all legal and fundraising costs, was $70,000.
The riverbank property and its forested setting beside the river, within the village of Bayfield, has become a place for nature appreciation and Bayfield River access.
The financing condition for property purchase was met by November 30, 2016. Following the closing on January 31, 2017, the project proponents transferred the property to the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy (HTLTC). This ensured the land remains part of the community’s local land legacy in perpetuity.
The long-term management agreement between the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association and the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy ensures that the property will be maintained, improved and transformed.
A land trust can permanently protect land to preserve its natural, environmental, recreational, scenic, historical, or agricultural importance. Land trusts or land conservancies are independent, charitable organizations that work with private landowners to preserve open space and nature.
Land trusts accept donations and bequests of land and conservation agreements and, in some cases, may purchase land or conservation agreements. The land is then protected from that time on.
The HTLTC is a volunteer organization with a community board of directors. The Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy gives people a safe, reliable, long-term way to leave financial contributions or bequests of real property for the protection of land, water, and habitat for generations to come.
The Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy can protect important nature areas for the long term, with the help of “an inspired community that values and protects natural lands and habitat.”
Listen to other excerpts of audio interviews, by Judy Maddren, of Soundportraits.ca with donors to the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy: